Forums > Kitesurfing General

Helping someone with gear failure

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Created by SaveTheWhales > 9 months ago, 21 Jan 2011
SaveTheWhales
WA, 1896 posts
21 Jan 2011 8:52AM
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Hey

Many times weve all watched someone go pearshaped and thought 'lol there f**ked '

You may be able to help if your competent at kiteing - noobs dont help just keep laughing

1. Get there board back to shore first - that way you can claim the finders fee or a coldie next time out

2. If everythings wrapped up ready to go... attached your safety to their harness (conditons permitting of course) and tow them downwind to the beach so your kite will be powered up.
remember to steer and minimze the resistance of your board too...

Now youve made a new friend who just might exchange the favour when we all think everythings goin ok murphys law 101

Cheers n have Fun

Taurus
VIC, 189 posts
21 Jan 2011 12:00PM
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I dont agree with point 2, detaching safety makes you very vulnerable especially when your already vulnerable having someone attached to you.

Hopefully they know and can self rescue, if not then body drag them into shore. They hold on to you (at the shoulder) with one hand and hold onto their kite with the other. Its hard work but from my experience the safest and most controlled way to bring someone in.

eppo
WA, 9686 posts
21 Jan 2011 9:05AM
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Agreed. They will submerge too much attached to safety. Good post though man,a clear concise procedure is good to have when when **** hits the fan.

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1896 posts
21 Jan 2011 10:30AM
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yes I understand

though the key words were competent and conditions permitting..

Ive never seen anyone self recue from a complete watery deflate - thats where experience comes into it..

with the many rescues ive done connected to their harness 'hook' pulls them 'upwards'

If you think it will comprimise your own safety
then you should consider asking another kiter or at least keep an eye on them and report it if need be

rongroen
WA, 74 posts
21 Jan 2011 10:51AM
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All good advic, but I think this is very general

The key is to take a moment, to get over the shock of having stuffed up and/or having been put into the situation, and then to THINK.

Recently I found myself entwined for the first and hopefully last time. My new buddy cut way completely and I managed to follow my kite all the way through his lines, leaving me free to continue.

By then someone had collected his board and taken it to shore, someone else had started towing away his kite (with bar and lines trailing). He was then being given a tow back by another Samaritan.

In hindsight, I think he may have been better off being re-united with his kite, rolled up his lines and self rescue to shore, requiring less samaritans.

SaveTheWhales
WA, 1896 posts
21 Jan 2011 11:26AM
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SaveTheWhales said...

Hey

Many times weve all watched someone go pearshaped and thought 'lol there f**ked '

You may be able to help if your competent at kiteing - noobs dont help - just keep laughing

1. Get there board back to shore first - that way you can claim the finders fee or a coldie next time out

2. If everythings wrapped up ready to go... attached your safety to their harness (conditons permitting of course) and tow them downwind to the beach so your kite will be powered up.
remember to steer and minimze the resistance of your board too...

Now youve made a new friend who just might exchange the favour when we all think everythings goin ok murphys law 101

Cheers n have Fun


The Highlighted bit was put there for a good reason and fun



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"Helping someone with gear failure" started by SaveTheWhales